Belt sleeve for mitigating heat and absorbing perspiration

ABSTRACT

A sleeve is disclosed that fits over a belt such as a work belt or an exercise belt. The sleeve is fabricated from an absorbent material to absorb perspiration of the wearer to maintain sanitary conditions of the belt. Moreover, the sleeve may be fabricated from a material which lifts the belt off of the wearer&#39;s skin and allows air to flow therebetween to facilitate a cooler body temperature and resulting in less perspiration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a sleeve for a belt used toabsorb perspiration and reduce the surface temperature of the skin ofthe wearer.

Belts are used for numerous purposes. By way of example and notlimitation, an exercise belt may be used for weight lifting, aerobicexercise, football, soccer, running, walking, golf, bowling and othersport activities. Working belts are used for construction, warehousework, moving and any lifting type of activities. Medical belts are usedfor back support. Stomach belts help to support a person's stomach. Byway of example and not limitation, after a pregnant woman has undergonea c-section the stomach area of the new mother is weak and the use of astomach belt helps to support such area. Other types of belts are alsoused for outdoor work and gardening activities. Unfortunately, duringuse of any type of belt, the wearer's perspiration soils the belt. Also,the belt acts as an insulator thereby causing the wearer to perspiremore than usual. As a result, the belt becomes unsanitary and needswashing. However, the belt is not designed to be conveniently washed andcleaned. Moreover, the heat caused by the insulating action of the beltcauses the wearer discomfort due to overheating.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The embodiments disclosed herein address the needs discussed above,discussed below and those that are known in the art. A sleeve isprovided which covers a belt. The sleeve may be fabricated from amaterial which is capable of absorbing perspiration as well as liftingthe belt off of the wearer's body. In this manner, air is allowed toflow between the belt and the wearer's body and helps reduce the skinsurface temperature of the wearer as well as absorb perspiration. It iscontemplated that the sleeve may be fabricated from terry cloth or otherabsorbent material. Moreover, the sleeve may have a pocket which canreceive an absorbent material that allows air to flow and helps reducethe wearer's body temperature. Moreover, it is contemplated that aportion of the sleeve may have an elastic material 52 to help snugglyfit the sleeve over the belt and to allow the sleeve to conform to manydifferent belt configurations.

More particularly, a sleeve for a body support belt is disclosed. Thesleeve may comprise first and second panels when the sleeve is laidflat. The first and second panels may be fabricated from a washable andbreathable material. Each of the first and second panels may definefirst, second, third and fourth edges. The first and third edges may beopposite from each other. The second and fourth edges may be oppositeeach other. The first edges of the first and second panels may beconnected to each other. The third edges of the first and second panelsmay be connected to each other. The second and fourth edges of the firstand second panels may be free so as to form a through hole in thesleeve. The inner inner circumference of the sleeve may be about equalto or greater than an outer circumference of the body support belt.

The first panel may have loops that extend outward so as to contact awearer's body when the sleeve and the body support belt are worn by thewearer for allowing air to flow between the wearer's skin and the bodysupport belt. By way of example and not limitation, the first panel maybe fabricated from terry cloth. Alternatively, the first panel may befabricated from a material having an open cell structure. Such materialmay contact a wearer's body when the sleeve and the body support beltare worn by the wearer for allowing air to flow between the wearer'sskin and the body support belt. The first panel may be fabricated froman air permeable material.

It is contemplated that an inner side of the first panel may have awaterproof liner. The waterproof liner may extend to an inner side ofthe second panel.

It is contemplated that the sleeve may further comprise a pouch on thefirst panel. The pouch may be operative to receive a liquid absorbentmaterial for absorbing perspiration. In this embodiment, it iscontemplated that the first panel may have loops that extend outward soas to contact a wearer's body when the sleeve and the body support beltare worn by the wearer for allowing air to flow between the wearer'sskin and the body support belt. Alternatively, the first panel may befabricated from a material having an open cell structure. Such materialmay contact a wearer's body when the sleeve and the body support beltare worn by the wearer for allowing air to flow between the wearer'sskin and the body support belt.

The sleeve may be positioned on a back portion of the body support belt.Moreover, the sleeve or a second sleeve may be positioned on a frontportion of the body support belt.

It is contemplated that the second panel is fabricated from an elasticmaterial.

It is also contemplated that the waterproof liner may extend over thetop and bottom edges of the belt.

In another aspect, a sleeve kit for a body support belt is disclosed.The sleeve kit may comprise first and second sleeves.

Each of the sleeves may comprise first and second panels when the sleeveis laid flat. The first and second panels may be fabricated from awashable and breathable material. Each of the first and second panelsmay define first, second, third and fourth edges. The first and thirdedges may be opposite from each other. Likewise, the second and fourthedges may be opposite each other. The first edges of the first andsecond panels may be connected to each other. Likewise, the third edgesof the first and second panels may be connected to each other. Thesecond and fourth edges of the first and second panels may be free so asto form a throughhole in the sleeve. An inner circumference of thesleeve may be about equal to or greater than an outer circumference ofthe body support belt.

The first sleeve may be disposed at a back portion of the body supportbelt. Also, a second sleeve may be disposed at a front portion of thebody support belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a wearer utilizing a sleeve for a workout belt;

FIG. 1A illustrates a patient utilizing the sleeve for a medical belt;

FIG. 2 illustrates the sleeve being fitted over a belt;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the belt sleeve;

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of thebelt sleeve; and

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of thebelt sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now the drawings, a sleeve 10 fittable over a body supportbelt 12 is disclosed. The sleeve 10 may be fabricated from a liquidabsorbent material 44 such as terry cloth. The sleeve 10 defines a firstpanel 14 and a second panel 16. The first panel 14 is disposed betweenthe body support belt 12 and the skin surface 18 of the wearer 20. Whenthe body support belt 12 and the sleeve 10 are worn by the wearer 20,air is allowed to flow between the belt 12 and the skin surface 18 ofthe wearer 20 to cool down the temperature of the skin surface 18. Thisfeature is beneficial during aerobic activities such as walking,running, etc. to help cool down the wearer 20. Moreover, during extendedaerobic activity, the wearer 20 may perspire and such perspiration maybe absorbed into the first panel 14 instead of soiling the belt 12. Inthis manner, it is significantly easier to wash the sleeve 10 instead ofthe body support belt 12.

More particularly, the first and second panels 14, 16 may each definefirst, second, third and fourth edges 22, 24, 26 and 28. The first edges22 of the first and second panels 14, 16 are preferably connected toeach other. Moreover, the third edges 26 of the first and second panels14, 16 are also connected to each other. Preferably, the first and thirdedges 22, 26 do not have any type of protuberance such as a reverse seamor the like that may cause discomfort to the wearer 20 when wearing thebody support belt 12 and the sleeve 10. Moreover, the first panel 14preferably does not have any type of abnormal protrusions that mightinterfere with the wearer 20. The second and fourth edges 24, 28 of thefirst and second panels 14, 16 preferably are free so as to form athrough hole in the sleeve 10. In this manner, the body support belt 12can be slid through the sleeve 10 and positioned appropriately asdesired by the wearer 20. In FIG. 2, a first sleeve 10 a is shown asinstalled on the body support belt 12. It is also contemplated that asecond sleeve 10 b may be provided. The first sleeve 10 a may bepositioned at the back portion of the belt 12 and positioned on thelower back of the wearer 20, whereas the second sleeve 10 b may bepositioned over the front portion or fastener of the belt 12 andpositioned on the stomach of the wearer 20 during use. In FIG. 1, thefirst and second sleeves 10 a, b are shown as installed on the belt 12at the back and front portions thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B, the sleeve 10 may be fabricatedfrom terry cloth material. The terry cloth material has a plurality ofloops 30 that extend outward, as shown in FIGS. 3-3B. When the belt 12is worn by the wearer 20, the loops 30 lift the belt 12 off of the bodyof the wearer 20. This allows air to flow up and down, as shown by arrow34. This airflow facilitates reduction of skin temperature on the skinsurface 18 of the wearer 20. Additionally, the terry cloth is capable ofabsorbing perspiration of the wearer 20 to prevent soiling of the belt12 during aerobic activity. Accordingly, the sleeve 10 promotes thereduction of temperature of the skin temperature of the wearer 20 aswell as absorbs perspiration to prevent soiling of the belt 12 andmaintain cleanliness during aerobic activities.

It is also contemplated that an inner side 32 of the first panel 14 maybe lined with a waterproof liner to further prevent soling of the belt12 by the wearer's 20 perspiration yet allow air to flow so as to helpreduce the temperature of the skin surface 18 of the wearer 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 3B, the first panel 14 may have a zipper 36and a pocket 38. The first panel 14 may be fabricated from first andsecond layers 40, 42 that are sewn together on three sides. The zipper36 may be disposed on the fourth side as shown in FIG. 3 to provideselective access to the pocket 38 by opening or closing zipper 36. Otherclosure means are also contemplated such as Velcro (i.e., hooks andloops), buttons, snaps and the like. The zipper 36 may be formed on thesecond layer 42 or on the interior side of the sleeve 10. In thismanner, the zipper 36 does not cause discomfort to the wearer 20 duringuse. The zipper does not poke the wearer 20. The pocket 38 may bestuffed with an absorbent material 44 such as a super absorbent polymer,an open cell sponge, foam and the like. The first layer 40 may be awater and air permeable material so that the wearer's 20 perspirationmay be absorbed into the absorbent material 44. Moreover, the absorbentmaterial 44 allows air to flow through or between the belt 12 and thebody of the wearer 20. This helps to reduce the body temperature of thewearer 20 and simultaneously allows absorption of the perspiration for amore sanitary workout. The second layer 42 of the first panel 14 may befabricated from a waterproof material to prevent the perspirationabsorbed into the absorbent material 44 from soiling the belt 12. In thediscussions of the waterproof barrier 50, it is also contemplated thatthe waterproof barrier 50 may extend over the top and bottom edges 46,48 to prevent any sweat from falling on top of the first and third edge22, 26 of the sleeve 10 from soiling or contacting the belt 12. Theextension of the waterproof barrier 50 is shown in FIG. 3B by dottedlines 50 a, b.

The second panel 16 may also be fabricated from the same material as thefirst panel 14. However, it is also contemplated that the second panel14 may be fabricated from other materials such as an elastic material toallow the sleeve 10 to wrap tightly around the belt 12. In particular,the inner circumference of the sleeve 10 may be smaller than the outercircumference of the belt 12. In mounting the sleeve 10 to the belt 12,the elastic second panel 16 is stretched open. The belt 12 is slidthrough the sleeve 10. The elastic second panel 16 compresses to tightenthe sleeve 10 on the belt 12. This prevents movement of the sleeve 10during aerobic activity. Moreover the elastic nature of the second panel16 allows the sleeve 10 to conform to various belt shapes regardless ofthe shape or contour of the top and bottom edges 46, 48 of the belt 12.The body support belt 12 may be a back support belt, a medical belt (seeFIG. 1A), a stomach belt to support the wearer's 20 stomach, outdoorbelt, garden work belt or any other type of belt 12.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the inventiondisclosed herein, including various ways of forming the zipper or otherequivalent structure. Further, the various features of the embodimentsdisclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with eachother and are not intended to be limited to the specific combinationdescribed herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited bythe illustrated embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sleeve for a body support belt, the sleevecomprising: a first panel and a second panel when the sleeve is laidflat, the first and second panels being fabricated from a washable andbreathable material, each of the first and second panels defining first,second, third and fourth edges, the first and third edges being oppositefrom each other, the second and fourth edges being opposite each other,the first edges of the first and second panels connected to each other,the third edges of the first and second panels connected to each other,the second and fourth edges of the first and second panels being free soas to form a throughhole in the sleeve; wherein an inner circumferenceof the sleeve is about equal to or greater than an outer circumferenceof the body support belt.
 2. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the firstpanel has loops that extend outward so as to contact a wearer's bodywhen the sleeve and the body support belt are worn by the wearer forallowing air to flow between the wearer's skin and the body supportbelt.
 3. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the first panel is fabricatedfrom terry cloth.
 4. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the first panel isfabricated from a material having an open cell structure and suchmaterial contacts a wearer's body when the sleeve and the body supportbelt are worn by the wearer for allowing air to flow between thewearer's skin and the body support belt.
 5. The sleeve of claim 1wherein the first panel is fabricated from an air permeable material. 6.The sleeve of claim 1 wherein an inner side of the first panel has awaterproof liner.
 7. The sleeve of claim 6 wherein the waterproof linerextends to an inner side of the second panel.
 8. The sleeve of claim 1further comprising a pouch on the first panel, the pouch operative toreceive a liquid absorbent material for absorbing perspiration.
 9. Thesleeve of claim 8 wherein the first panel has loops that extend outwardso as to contact a wearer's body when the sleeve and the body supportbelt are worn by the wearer for allowing air to flow between thewearer's skin and the body support belt.
 10. The sleeve of claim 8wherein the first panel is fabricated from a material having an opencell structure and such material contacts a wearer's body when thesleeve and the body support belt are worn by the wearer for allowing airto flow between the wearer's skin and the body support belt.
 11. Thesleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is positionable on a back portionof the body support belt.
 12. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeveis positionable on a front portion of the body support belt.
 13. Thesleeve of claim 1 wherein the second panel is fabricated from an elasticmaterial.
 14. The sleeve of claim 6 wherein the waterproof liner extendsover the top and bottom edges of the belt.
 15. A sleeve kit for a bodysupport belt, the sleeve kit comprising: first and second sleeves, eachsleeve comprising: a first panel and a second panel when the sleeve islaid flat, the first and second panels being fabricated from a washableand breathable material, each of the first and second panels definingfirst, second, third and fourth edges, the first and third edges beingopposite from each other, the second and fourth edges being oppositeeach other, the first edges of the first and second panels connected toeach other, the third edges of the first and second panels connected toeach other, the second and fourth edges of the first and second panelsbeing free so as to form a throughhole in the sleeve; wherein an innercircumference of the sleeve is about equal to or greater than an outercircumference of the body support belt.
 16. The sleeve of claim 15wherein the first sleeve is disposable at a back portion of the bodysupport belt.
 17. The sleeve of claim 15 wherein the second sleeve isdisposable at a front portion of the body support belt.